Stop-on-signal radio apparatus



Jam. il? 195@ o. GIERWIATOWSKI sToP-oN-SIGNAL RADIO APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed NOV. l, 1946 Jam, w, l5@ o. GIERWIATOWSKI 234949235 sToP-oN-SIGNAL RADIO APPARATUS Filed NOV. 1, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan., E0? E95@ o. GIERWIATOWSKI l 2,494,235

STOP-ON-SIGNAL RADIO APPARATUS Filed NOV. l, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan w, 1950 o. GIERWIATOWSKI $494,235

STOP-ON- SIGNAL RADIO APPARATUS Filed NOV. l, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented `Fan. 10, 1950 STOP-ON-SIGNAL RADIO APPARATUS Olgierd Gierwiatowski, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Edward F. Andrews, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 1, 1946, Serial No. 707,132

19 Claims.

This invention relates to radio apparatus of the self-tuning type. More particularly, it relates to stop-on-signal apparatus, especially receivers, requiring no manual presetting to tune in progressively the signals or stations coming within their range of sensitivity. Such receivers, although having broad-utility, are particularly advantageous for use as automobile receivers because the frequent changes in geographical position of the vehicle cause different stations to be within range for reception at different times. This feature of stop-on-signal receivers makes them also especially applicable to all types of automotive vehicles, including watercraft and aircraft.

Receivers of this type have been known in the art also as stop-on-carrien or signalseeking receivers. Although stop-on-carrier is substantially the same in meaning as stopon-signal, I now prefer the use of the term stop-on-signal receiver for this class of device. Receivers of this general type have been described and claimed in previous patents and patent applications, such as those of Edward J.

Andrews, Patent No. 2,326,738, issued August 17,

1943, and Patent No. 2,262,218, issued November 11, 1941; also in the pending applications of William J. OBrien, Serial No. 605,397, led July 16, 1945, and Serial No. 387,908, iiled April 10, 1941 now Patent No. 2,442,430.

Certain features of the apparatus disclosed in this application are disclosed and claimed in the foregoing applications and also in the contemporaneously filed applications of Edward F. Andrews, Serial Nos. 707,219 and 707,220.

Although the invention to be described is especially adapted for use with stop-on-signal receivers for broadcast reception, its use is not necessarily restricted to this eld, for stop-onsignal apparatus may also nd application in radio transmitters, in the eld of electronic control, and in other resonance responsive electronic apparatus.

One of the objects of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved stopon-carrier, signal-seeking, or Ystop-on-signal radio apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved stop-on-signal radio receiver.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved stop-on-signal radio apparatus of the type including power storage means for varying the tuning means tuning means and especially the band spread variation of permeability type variable tuning means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved stop-on-signal means in which the band spread variation of the tuning means is compensated by a plurality of means, notably power storage means operating the tuning means which is most effective when the greatest speed of the tuning means is desired, variable gear ratio and torque transmission means, and tuning means movement restraining means of a character whose speed depends upon the torque applied to it.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved stop-on-signal radio apparatus of the type wherein the tuning means is varied by power storage means including means for charging the power storage means and means for preventing the charging means from being operated while the tuning means is stopped, and more particularly an apparatus of the character wherein the tuning means is stopped by a brake. According to this feature ofA the invention, the charging means, which is preferably a solenoid or other electromagnetic means, lcannot be operated or energized while the brake is on. l

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved stop-on-signal .radio apparatus including maintained contact switch means associated with variable tuning means adapted selectively to render operative either the stop-on-signal means or the means for charging power storage means which varies Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved stop-on-signal radio apparatus of the type in which power storage means is utilized to vary the tuning means including means for rendering the stop-on-signal means inoperative while the power storage means is being charged.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved stop-on-signal means including variable tuning means and i means including transmission means and movement restraining means for controlling the H speed of the tuning means, characterized further in that the tuning means is varied by power storage means, particularly a spring, connected to the tuning means whereby it takes out all the play in the transmission means.

This is of particular importance in that all of the play is taken out of the drive between the tuning means and the restraining means and the arrangement is even more important when the tuning means is stopped by braking means effective at the high speed end ofthe transmission means. In this case all the play is also taken out between the tuning means and the brake.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved stop-on-signal apparatus characterized by a novel and simple means for preventing premature termination of the variation of the tuning means, a feature which is especially desirable to prevent stoppage orthe tuning means twice in succession to a particular signal or station.

Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide a new and improved stop-on-signal radio apparatus of the type including power storage means for varying the tuning means and electromagnetic means fkor charging the power storage means having switch means alternately to connect the charging means to an alternating current circuit and the stop-on-signalmeans to a direct current circuit.

A further object oi the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus of the character set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the direct current circuitr is energized from one secondary winding of a transformer and the alternating current circuit is energized from asecondary winding of the same transformer` Another object of the present` invention is to provide a new and improved stop-on-signal radio apparatus of the type comprising resilient power storage means for varying the tuning means and electromagnetic means f rorr charging said power storage means, characterized in that the charging and stoppingY means are controlled by a single pole double throw switch, the movable pole of which is included in alternating and direct current circuits associated with the charging means and stop-on-sigr-ial'` means, respectively, and also to a switch. controlled, by the stOp-Onsignal means.

A further objectY of the present invention. is to provide new and improved mechanical arrangements interconnecting the tuning means, the power storage meansL which varies the tuning means, and the restraining means controlling the speed of the tuning. means.

Further objects, advantages, and capabilities of the invention. will. become apparent upon study of the following specifications and accompanying drawings, inl which:`

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration; of a preferred embodiment of the invention as applied to automobile receivers;

Fig. 2 is a detailed top plan view of a preferred embodiment of certain of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detailed side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 as seen along the lines 3 3;

Fig. 4 is a detailed plan view of another embodiment of the invention, including a phantom view of some of the movable parts thereof in a changed position;

Fig. 5 is a detailed view in elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 as seen along the lines 5 5;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the ratchet mechanism as viewed along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view, illustrating a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. l, it illustrates a preferred ernbodiment of the invention applied to an automobile radio receiver. More particularly, it represents an automobile radio receiver of the superheterodyne type, including an antenna I0; a tuned radio frequency amplifier Il and its associated variable tuning means |37; a first detector and oscillator l2 and the variable tuning means lf3 and I5 associated therewith; an intermediate frequency amplifier I6 which may have a plurality of stages; a second detector lll; a transformer having a pri-mary [8 and a secondary I9 coupling the inte rnriediate frequency amplier I5 to the second detector i7; an audio frequency amplier 20; a volume control voltage divider 2i; an automatic volume control circuit 22; and a loudspeaker 2.4.

Power is preferably supplied to the apparatus bythe vehicle storage battery 3l which serves directly as a source of lament supply for the tubes, as well asV to. energizeV a relay and solenoid forming part of the stop-on-signal means to be described hereinafter. The power supply in.- cludes a high voltage "B supply 32, which may be a standard vibrator unit of the type commonly used in vehicular radios. The filament supply, indicated at 33 and which is connected to the laments (not shown). of all the tubes, and current to the B supply are controlled by an on-and-off switch 30, which may be physically connected to the volume control 2i. A choke coilv 35 connected to the. ungroundednegative terminal of the battery serves to isolate high frequency currents, from the. batteryv circuit, and capacitors 29 and 36i serve to ground high frequency currents. t'

The variable tuning means I3, i4 and i5; are preferably of the variable permeability type having powdered iron movable internal cores V'I2- These are arranged for sliding movement by means of the spring 10 (constituting a power storage means of a preferred. resilient type, although itv should be understood that power storage` means of other types, such as gravity, could be used) which pulls a yoke 1I to which the several cores are attached outwardl from the low frequency end of the core travel within the coils to the high frequency end of travelv whereat the cores are out of the coils. t

Before proceeding further with the detailed description of the electrica-1 circuitsand aspects of the apparatus, considerationl will be hadv of the mechanicalconstruction of the main components 5 of the stop-on-signal means and especially ofa transmission including a variable mechanical advantage driving means interconnecting the spring .10 and cores 12 with an associated speed restraining means 14.

i Reference will now be had to Figs. 2 and 3, which illustrate in detail the mechanism shown schematically in Fig. 1. The metal cabinet of the receiver is indicated by reference character 5. Within it is supported a tuning mechanism chassis 6 suitably attached to the cabinet 5 by means of screw fastenings |86.

,. The tuning means I3, I4 and I5 are mounted .upon a stationary frame 1 supported a short distance beneath the chassis 6 by means of the f spacers |81. The yoke 1|, to which cores 12 are attached, is secured for sliding movement upon a pair of spaced apart guide rods |88 supported at their two ends by two upturned lugs |89 and |9| -formed at the ends of 'the frame 1. One end of the yoke and core actuating spring 1U is attached to a pin I 92 projecting from the frame 1 near lug |89 and the other end of the spring is tensioned and hooked to a bracket |93 secured to the yoke.

A roller 15 mounted at the end of bracket |93 is maintained in camming relationship with the camming surface |91 of an arm |95 of pivoted lever |94 by the pull of spring 10 upon yoke 1|.. The lever |94 is pivotally mounted upon chassis by means of a stud 29|. vided with an offset portion |96 which passes down through an irregularly shaped aperture 293 in the chassis 6 so that the camming surface |91 is at the level of and may contact roller 15. When the roller 15 is pulled against camming surface placement of pivoted lever |94. It may also be I curved to compensate for the variation of pull with length of stroke of the solenoid plunger 3| and of the spring 10.

The spring 1 is charged and the cores are moved from their high to their low frequency positions by charging means, preferably an electromagnetic solenoid 89 which is mounted upon the upper side of the chassis 6 in a position enabling its plunger 9| to retract the arm |95 of pivoted lever |94. The end of the plunger is tted s with a pin |98 which engages the surface of a small slot |99 in arm |95 located between the cifset portion I 96 and stud 20|. In order to prevent short circuiting of the flux produced by the solenoid, the arm |94 should be made of some non- ,y

magnetic material such as brass, or it should .be magnetically insulated from the solenoid plunger 8|.

The energization of the solenoid 80 is controlled in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter. For the present it will suce to state that it is supplied with power from the battery through conductors |02 and |22, the circuit being completed through ground and, more particularly, through conductor IUI', a position limit switch 95 when the latter is in a position into which it is operated when the tuning means reaches its high frequency and, through switch means controlled by what is termed the stop-on-signal relay |05-the circuits, switch and relay just referred to being shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

When the energizing circuit for the solenoid 8|) is completed it effects movement of its plunger 8| to the right and counterclockwise movement of the leverr |94, both as viewed in Fig. 2, there,-

The arm |95 is pro- Lil) by to tension the spring lll and to move the cores l2 back to their low frequency positions in the interior of the coils of the tuning means I3, I4 and The spring 10, which constitutes a power storage means, is the type of power storage means tending to release its power with a quick snap, that is with a constant and rapid acceleration, unless properly restrained. An effective restraining means is provided in the form of a wind vane 14 which is connected to the spring 10 through a gear train which insures that the wind vane is turned a considerable number of revolutions while the spring is contracting from its charged or stretched position to its discharged or contracted'position. Thus the necessary restraint can be provided to cause the spring and the tuner, to which it is directly connected, to move from one end of the range to the other at a relatively slow and relatively uniform speed .which is determined by the pull of the spring,- the aerodynamic resistance of the wind vane and the step-up ratio of the gear train connecting the two. If the gear ratio is increased, the tuner will move more slowly because the torque applied to the wind vane is the pull of the spring divided by the gear ratio. Conversely, a lower gear ratio will cause the wind vane and the tuner to move faster, as with the lower gear ratio, a greater torque is applied to the wind vane. However, the tuner employed does not vary the frequency of the tuned circuits at a uniform rate throughout its tuning range. A given motion of ie tuner changes the frequency by a greater number of kilocycles at the high frequency end than at the low frequency end. It is true that tuners can be made in which the frequency change with motion is uniform throughout ythe band, but these are not readily obtainable and are costly. It has been found that the desired effect for stop-on-signal tuning can be achieved with the normal commercial type of variable reactance units either of variable permeability, variable capacity, or other type, by varying the gear ratio of the power transmission means between the tuner and the wind vane so that the speed of the tuner is faster where the distance of movement per kilocycle, or the band-spread, is greater, that is at the low frequency end, and slower where the band spread is less, that is at the high frequency end. Some form of compensation to produce uniform variation of frequency per unit time is very desirable with stop-on-signal tuning, because when the stopping signal is given, a certain small interval of time must elapse before the tuner is completely stopped. When the stopping signal occurs approximately at resonance, this time interval causes the tuner to overrun the signal. If the tuning speed is not too high, this overrun is inappreciable. However, it is desirable to run the tuner as fast as possible for quick scanning of the band. If the band spread is unequal throughout the range and the tuning speed is constant, there will be greater overrun where the'band spread is smaller. However, if the speed is decreased as the band spread decreases, the tendency to overrun can be kept sufficiently small while the time required to scan the band is short and the average speed high.

I have found that the band can be scanned in the minimum length of time without having the overrun at any portion of the band exceed a certain tolerable amount by running at higher speed at the end of the band where the spread is greatest and at slower speed toward the other end foi :the band where the spread is less. This .can `be accomplished Kby utilizing .a variable :mechanical advantage or a variable gear ratio which the ratio changes from .one -end of the band :to the other.. At the high frequency end of .the band the speed is made low, by making the step-:up gear iratio high, while :at the -low frequency end of the band where the band spread is great :and the speed 'is made high, by making the geai ratio low. This .eiect results from the fact that with a given force exerted by the spring and a given size of wind vane, the higher gear ratio .at .the high frequency end applies a smaller torque to the wind vane which causes it to run at a slower speed. At the low frequency end where the gear-'ratio is lower, the torque applied to Ythe wind vane is larger., which causes it to run ata higher speed. Also .as the gear ratio .is higher when the wind vane runs slower, there is .g greater :drlerence in .speed between the wind vane and the tuner at the low 'speed end which causes the tuner to run slower .at the high frequency end because of the changed gear ratio as well as because of the smaller torque applied to the wind vane. The change of gear `ratio of course `has the opposite eiect at the other end .ofthe range so that the change of gear ratio is 'additive with that lof the change of torque 'throughout 'the range.

In the embodiment of the invention .shown in Figs. 2 and 3, there is an additional factor which may be employed to add still further to the speed change. This is due to the fact that the pull of the spring 'I0 is somewhat greater when stretched than it is when contracted. As it is stretched to the maximum at the low frequency end of the band where it is desired that the speed should be highest, it will be seen that by selecting a spring in which there is va good deal of change in tension between its Vstretched and contracted conditions that an added effect of speed change due to the varying spring tension lcan be obtained.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, v2 and 3 the tuning cores 'I2 move about three times as fast at the low frequency end of their movement as they do at the high frequency end. This roughly compensates for the fact that with a particular variable permeability tuning core and coil, 'such as that employed, a given movement of the tuning cores causes a frequency change at the high frequency end substantially three times as great as that caused by the same movement of vthe tuning cores at the low frequency end. It will be understood that if the band spread variation is different from this the speed variation should be changed to suit the particular band spread variation of the variable reactan'ces employed. Also on account of the rhigher angular momentum of the moving parts at the higher speed, it may `be desirable to have the tuning speed vary somewhat less than the variation of the band spread.

The variable mechanical advantage transmission means includes an arm 202 of vthe pivoted lever |50., the outer end of which is connected to a sector gear 204 through a variable radius and component driving connection comprising a slot '205 in the gear and a roller 208 carried at the end of arm 202. The gear 204, it may he mentioned, is pivotally mounted upon a stud 20| secured to the chassis E.

Arm 2-02 extends substantially at rig-ht angles to arm |95. The slot 205 in gear 204 is located 'to placeit approximately parallel with .ar-m 202 when the pivoted lever 104 is in its furthest clockwise position, which :position is occupied by it at the end of the tuning movement, i. e., -at the high frequency end. In this position the vroller 208 is at zur near the bottom of the slot that is closest to pivot 205|. Upon counterclockwise rota- .of pivoted lever |1911 the sector gear 20 turns in the comiterclockwise direction until slot 205 assumes the position shown in Fig. 2. A small angular movement of lever |94 when .it is in the furthest clockwise position, in which position relier i208 is near the bottom pf slot 205 and arm 202 is parallel with 'the edge ofthe slot, causes a relatively .large angular movement of the secto gear i204.

When `the pivoted lever is in the farthest counterclockwise position, illustrated in Fig. 2 the .same small angular vmovement .of the lever '|94 cau-ses .a much .smaller change in the angular position of the :sector A201i. This is because of Athe change in .mechanical advantage between the lever |94 and the sector gear 204. The eiiective step up .gear ratio .becomes greater as these elements `move from the position .corresponding to the lowest frequency to the .position corresponding to the .highest frequency. This may be regarded as caused by the effective length of the lever pivoted on the sector pivot 20] becoming shorter as the high frequency .end is approached while the @effective length of the lever pivoted on the lever pivot 20| remains the same. This effect may also be explained, part, by the fact that in the position shown in Fig. 2, where the axis of the slot '2.05 is more nearly perpendicular to the axis of arm 202, 'only a certain component of the motion of arm .-202 .is eiective in moving the gear `sector 20B kwhile at the v'high frequency end of the travel when the .arm 202 is .substantially parallel to the slot 205, then all-of the motion of the arm 202 is eiective in Imoving the sector 204. If desired, a ycertain modifying eiiect on the rate of speed change can be secured by making the slot '205 curved instead of straight.

v'Ihepivoted .lever |94 is also lutilized to operate the maintained-contact limit switch at the of movement of the tuning means. The switch operated by a yoke |53 preferably lmade Yof insulating material having .two extending arms terminating in vlugs 92 .and 3. The lugs 92 and 9.3 4:engage vvand operate the .contacts of a sensitive snap-.action limit 'switch '95 when the tuning means and .solenoid reaches either limit of their strokes. The `limit switch 9.5 comprises contact carrying .springs Sli, `9'! and 98, a resilient yoke 99., :and a toggle link |00, compressed between yoke 29B and 4contact spring y97. When the end of the toggle link |00 nearest the yoke is slightly displaced in one Ldirection by either o'f the lugs 92 and :53 vover center 4with respect to spring 91, then the other end of the toggle 'link imparts a rapid .snap action .displacement to the contact '97 in the -opposite direction. Itis highly desirable to have za sensitive limit .switch so that less power is required to operate it. It may have to 'he operated :by the spring 10 substantially simultaneously with `the star-ting of the apparatus, as whenthe .tuning means has been stopped very near the high frequency limit of travel. If the limit switch cannot be easily operated, then a stronger spring has Yto be used.

The electrical circuits controlled by the limit switch'will now be described briefly. It is adapted, when the relay l'|05 is in operated position, seleczo rtively to energize the solenoid and to render operative the stop-on-signal means to be described hereinafter. Its contact blade 88 is connected to the solenoid winding 82 by conductor |0| and when the stop-on-signal means is effective, i. e., during tuning movement, this circuit is open. The contact spring 85 is connected by conductor 56 and resistor 55 to the cathode circuit of an electron tube 60 included in the stop-on-signal means and this circuit is completed through the limit switch when the tuning means is being operated, the circuit being completed through contact blade 01 in engagement with contact blade 86, conductor |25 and contact I |2 of the relay switch, which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Returning again to the transmission, it may be noted that the sector gear 204 of the variable mechanical advantage driving means drives the first pinion 85 of a speed amplifying gear train, indicated as a whole by reference character 8E. The pinion 85 is attached to and drives a spur gear |28, these two gears being mounted upon a common shaft |29. The spur gear |28, in turn, drives a pinion |30 rotating freely upon a shaft |3|.

The speed of the high speed pinion |30 of gear train 88 will vary at a rate depending upon the speed variation of the sector gear 204. The speed of movement of the sector gear 204 varies according to the varying mechanical advantage of the roller 208 acting against slot 205. Accordingly, the speed of pinion |30 and of the shaft |3| is determined not merely by the fixed gear ratio of the gear train, but varies with the position' of the mechanical linkage comprising the pivoted lever |94, roller 208, and the slotted sector gear 204. This linkage forms a variable mechanical advantage driving means and its operation is like changing the ratio of the gears and pinions in a gear train. It should be noted that the gear ratio of the driving means is highest and the tuning speed lowest when lever |94 is in its furthest clockwise position, in which position the cores '|2 of the tuning inductances i3, I4 and I5 are in their furthest extended position, corresponding to the high frequency end of the tuning scale. The gear ratio is lowest and the tuning speed highest when lever |83 is in its furthest counterclockwise position 1n which position the cores 12 are fully inserted within the tuning inductances, corresponding to the low frequency end of the tuning scale.

The ends of gear shafts |29 and |3| are jour-A naled through and spacedly supported by mounting plates |30 and |3`|, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 6. They are vertically supported at their lower end by a thrust leaf |32. The mounting plates are fastened to the chassis 6 in vertically spaced relationship by means of stand-'off separators. The mounting plate |31 is vertically offset to accommodate a brake drum ST and one Way driving means 88, an enlarged detail View of which is shown in Fig. 6, and the purpose ofwhich` will be described hereinafter.

The brake drum 8i is a small disc' of Bakelite or siniilar'substancev of fairly light weight and of small diameter tominimizeits angular m'omentum, and possessing good friotional and wearing characteristics. It is pressed upon a'reduced' diameter shoulder of pinion |30 and rotates freely therewith upon shaft |3|.

. The wind vane i4 is driven through the oneway driving means 88 in order that it will be effective only during' tuning movement of the cores by spring "lqgandgwillf'not be effectiveI to" retard movement of the apparatus when the spring is charged by solenoid 80. The wind vane is secured to the shaft |3l" which extends freely through pinion |30. The shaft has secured to it a bushing |38. A coiled spring type one-way drive |50 surrounds the bushing and resiliently and frictionally engages the bushing. The lower end of the spring is attached to a pin |5| projecting from the brake' drum 3i, which it may be remembered is securedto the high speed pinion |30. The spring ratchet is coiled in the counterclockwise direction (as viewed from the underside of Fig. 6) around the outside of bushing |38 just tightly enough to seize the' bushing firmly and rotate it in the' clockwise direction, when brake drum 81 is d riV- A en in the clockwise direction under the influence of spring 10. When brake drum 81 rotates coun; tei-clockwise, the spring ratchet |50 unwinds enough to slip on bushing |38 so that little rotation of the bushing or of shaft |3| takes place. The wind vane may be very light and isillus trated as having a light metal hub |03 and four'- (it can have more) thin fiber vanes |04. However, any equivalent vane type constructionh may? be employed. The wind vane acts as a speed coniv trolling restraining means. An increasel in tlrie speed of the wind vane results in an increased aerodynamic resistance to the rotation of the vanes. Thus, for any given torque transmitted' to the wind vane by shaft |3|, a constant speed is quickly arrived at and maintained. The speed of the wind vane varies progr'essiveiY ly with the change in torque applied to it andwhich results from the change in gearratiob# tween the sector gear 204 and the' pivoted 'lever |534. The effect of this changing speed of' the wind vane is to vary the speed at which the tun" ing inductance cores 12 move under the influence of spring 'i0 so that they move more rapidlyin their low frequency fully retracted position than in their high frequency fully extended position.` The advantage of this mode of operation will bei' come more apparent later.4 The brake, which includes the brake drumV 8T,` is controlled bythe stop-on-signal meansl to ter?" minate variation of the tuning meanswhen a sig-'-v nal or carrier is tuned in. It'is'controlled by the stop-onsigna1 relay |05 and the arrangement' is such that it is 'applied when the relay is un@ latched and returned to its nonoperated position. In the operated position ofthe relay, the brakeis released so that thetuning means can readily be moved bythe spring 10. -The brake includes,- in addition to the drum 81, a brake shoeY ||3 Whichis :in effect the shorter portion of the arma; ture l0? of the stop-on-signal relay. When the relay is returned to its nonoperated position, the' brake is resiliently applied bya spring I4, one end of which is connected to the brakey shoe I3 and the .other to-a stationary support, as best-1L- lustrated in Fig. 2. .v. The stop-on-signal relay4 |05 includes -a 'mag-l netic circuit comprisingv a ferromagnetic core. |00, thearmature. |01, which is alsofof ferromaga netic material and mounted for .pivotal movementand a ferromagnetic yoke |08 for complet. ing the ux path from the .core |00 to the pivot point of the armature |01. -v y V The relay is provided with three normallyopen. (i. e., when the relay is in. nonoperated position) resiliently mounted contacts ||0,..|||,- and ||2-` and, with one normally closed resiliently mounted. contact 25|., These all cooperate withv acontact strip 09 extending"y from the end of the armature |01: opposite the brake and connected to ground through the armature and a ground lead H1. The spring H4, which urges. thev brake shoe H3 against the-surface of the brakeV drum'. 81, serves also. to bias the armature toward the open position. It is preferably a relatively strong spring'. Bythe term open position is meant the position of the relay in which the magnetic circuit isfinterrupted because there is an air gap between the armature lill and the. core |06. In this position they brake shoe H3 is applied to the brake drum- 81, the contact 24| is closed, and the contacts Ht, HI, and H2 are open. The short dependingv brake enables the spring H4 to exert a powerful pressure with a short motion against the brake drum 81, and the long, oppositely eX- tending portion of the armature permits the contact strip |09 a longer stroke for obtaining the necessary contact clearance.

The receiver is muted during the tuning and recharging operations by contact H I which is connected to the grid of the rst tube of audio amplifier 20 byy conductor |26. When the relay |.|lis operated and the contact HI is closed, the gridA is grounded through conductor |26, contact strip |09, the relay armaturev |01 and ground conductor H1. As'soon as relay |05 is returned toanonoperated position in response to a signal, contact IH opens, and once again permits normal audio amplication.

Contact I2 connects'contact 91 of limit switch 95 to ground potential via lead |25 when the relay is operated, andk disconnects contact Sl from ground potential and prevents operation of the solenoid. 80 and tube 60 of the stop-onsignal means, which are selectively controlled by limit switch 95, when the relay is not operated. The reasons for this mode of operation Will becomeV apparent subsequently.

Contactv 26| connects the automatic gain or volume control. circuitl 22 to ground, when the relay is not operated, through aV time delay condenser 25A which is connected between resistor 23 and contact 24| by lead 242. When the relay is not operated. contact 24| is closed and the time delay condenser 25A, charged through resistor 23, provides normallv slow automatic volume control. When the relav is operated, as it is during the tuning operation, contact 24| is onen and the condenser is disconnected. The AVC is therefore fast during the tuning operation. This prevents decreased sensitivity because the fest AVI? permits the actuating voltage to bi'ild un to its full value While the tuning mechanismv is traversing the signal. With slow AVH' the actuating voltage would not buildup toits fiill value until the originating signal had been passed, resultingr in greatly reduced sensitix/ifmwben the tuning mechanism moves at modereteiy'high speed.

The nur within the magnetic circuit of the relay |05 is established bv means of an operating and' holding Winding H5 providing sufficient ampere turns and flux to close the magnetic circuit of the relay'by attracting the armature |01 into close contact with the core H16 against the pull ofsprine' i i4 when the winding H5 is en.- ergized bi1-currentA from. the battery 3|. When the winding is no longer energized, the ux passing through the magnetic circuitof the relay is'not rapidlyl dissipated.. A residual flux remains which is suiiicient to maintain the armature |01 in the closed position.. 'l'o` insureithis, as well as. to permit the use. of a stronger` spring. H4, it is.

limiting resistor H9 when the contact H0 isy closed. This bleeder circuit permits sufficient current to iiow through the holding Winding H5 when the relay is closed to maintain a holding flux inthe magnetic circuit of the relay sunlcient to overcome the pull of spring H4. The relay is thus magnetically latched in operated position by the residual flux and the additional.

flux resulting from the small bleeder current. If a hardened steel core |06 is employed and the spring H4 is not too strong, this bleeder circuit may be omitted. Bleeder contact H0 may beomitted entirely and the contact end of resistor l-Smay be grounded in order toA maintain a constant bleeder current if the slight additional current drainis not objectionable.

The relay is manually controlled to initiatethetuning operation by a manually operable contacting bar or push bustton |20 adapted to connect the operating Winding H5 across the battery through a circuit including conductors H8 and |-2i. Pushy button |20 is thel main tuning control of the receiver which starts the tuner to tune in the next signal. The negative lead |22 of the closing winding H5 runs to the storage battery` 3| via the on-oi switch 30 as described before. Manual operation of the push button |20 energizes the relay operating Winding H5 to operatev the relay and the latter remains magnetically' latchedV in its operated position by the holding ux and/or the residual iiux maintained Within itsr magnetic circuit.

The leads |23Y and |24 from a second winding H6; called' a bucking Winding', of the stop-onsignal relay are energized under the control of the. stop-on-signalmeans, in this case by current circuits of the receiver.

controlledY by the'V electron tube 60, which may be and; isu shown as a gas tube, which ionizes responsive to conditions of resonance in the tuned When the tube E0 is ionized', current is passed through winding H5 in a direction creating a bucking iiux opposing the holding or'residualflux in the magnetic circuit of the relay. This neutralizes the holding iiux and permits spring i i4 to reopen armature |01i and to break the magnetic circuit of the relay. The current producing the bucking ux should not reverse the flux so much as to close the armature after it has once been opened.

The intermediate frequency balanced bridge circuit supplies a restraining voltage to prevent ionization of the. gas tube except at or close to the intermediate frequency, thus providing the sharp, precise response desired for exact tuning. The balanced bridge circuit is similar in many respectsto the one disclosed and claimed in the application of William J. OBrien, Serial No. 387,907", led April 16, 1941, now Patent No. 2526580, and will bev described only briefly. It comprisesa primary circuit and a secondary circuit which. areinductively coupled by the mutual inductances 4i and. capacity coupled by the capacitor 40. The primary circuit includes the adjustable primary inductance I8, the capacitors 42 and 38, and a resistance phasing or neutralizing arrangement consisting of the adjusting condenser 43 and resistors 44 and 45. The secondary circuit includes an adjustable secondary-inductance 39, the adjustment of which is varied? by` a. movable powdered iron core, and a condenser 31. The inductances I8, I9, 39, and 4I and the capacitors 31, 38, 40, 42, and 43 are included in a shielded metal container and form part of what is preferably called a balanced bridge transformer.

The circuit constants of the primary and secondary circuits are arranged so that they resonate at or near the intermediate frequency. The inductive reactance of the mutual inductances 4I is also adjusted to equal the capacitative reactance of the capacitor 40 at the intermediate frequency. The phasing network comprising the capacitor 43 and the resistors 44 and 45 serves to balance out the resistive coupling which exists between the primary and secondary circuits so that the total coupling between the primary and secondary circuits may approach zero at the intermediate frequency. This results in a response curve with two negative voltage peaks, one on either side of the resonance center and a very steep depression therebetween going down to or nearly to zero voltage. The resonance of the secondary circuit with capacitor 31 tuned by inductance 39 causes these two peaks to be higher in voltage.

The restraining voltage derived from the balanced bridge circuit is rectified by the diode plate 46A of an electron tube 46 which may be a GSQ'TG or 6Q'7 type. The diode plate is coupled to the circuit by capacitor 31A. The rectied negative restraining voltage appears across resistor 61 and is applied to grid 41. A biasing battery 6'9 maintains a suiiicient negative bias through resistor 68 upon the grid 41 to keep the plate current low when no signal is applied to the grid 41. The plate 49 of tube 46 is connected to a point between the plate of the radio frequency amplifier II and the resistor 26. Variations in plate current of the radio frequency amplifier II will therefore create a variable voltage drop a-cross the resistor 26 which is applied to the plate of tube 46 and which serves as the actuating voltage for operating the gas tube 50. A signal tuned in will produce a large increase in voltage across the voltage divider 2| and a correspondingly large negative voltage upon the automatic volume control lead 22. This causes the plate current of the radio frequency amplier I| to decrease, resulting in a smaller voltage drop across resistor 29. This places a higher positive potential upon the plate 49 of tube 46, which would result in a larger plate current through the tube. However, the actual plate current through tube @i9 is restrained by the effect of the restraining voltage from the balanced bridge circuit on the grid i1 so that although the plate voltage response curve due to the action of the automatic volume control is quite broad, the twohigh negative peaks and the sharp depression between them in the negative restraining voltage response curve provide a very steep sided narrow positive signal to the gas tube grid 6I, as shown more fully in said copending application of William J. OBrien.

In order that the normal time delay of the AVC may not delay the actuating voltage from reaching its peak before the signal to be tuned in passes the narrow valley of the restraining voltage, contact 24| disconnects the AVC time delay condenser 25 from the AVC circuit 22 during the tuning operation, while relay I is closed.

The plate-cathode circuit of the tube 46 is completed to ground through the negative terminal of battery 3| through the cathode lead 65 and a resistor 5I. The positive voltage developed across this resistor when normalplate current is iiowing in tube 46 is substantially equal to the negative voltage supplied from battery 3|, so that cathode 48 is close to ground potential with normal plate current. The positive voltage drop developed across resistor 5I increases when a signal is tuned in and is applied to the grid Si of tubel B which may be of the 2051 or 2050 type.

A small time delay network consisting of resistor 53 and capacitor 54 connected to ground may be inserted in the grid lead 52 in order to prevent extremely short pulses or other disturbances from prematurely ionizing the gas tube.

The cathode 62 and shield grid 63 of the gas tube 69 are connected to ground through a var-- iable resistor 55 and the limit switch 95 and relay operated switch |99, II2. A bleeder resistor 28 associated with resistor 55 forms a potentiometer to provide the desired negative grid bias relative to the cathode and to constitute a sensitivity control, although other types of sensitivity control may be used. The limit switch opens the cathode circuit of tube 69 when solenoid 89 is energized and thus insures that the gas tube cannot ionizev and apply the brake shoe I|3 to brakedrum 81 in response to a signal while solenoid is retensioning spring 10.

The cathode to ground connection from contact 91 is also interrupted by contact I I2 when the stop-on-signal relay opens. The cathode side of the gas tube plate circuit is therefore disconnected at all times except during the short interval after the relay is operated by operating push button |28 and before it is released by the bucking winding I I6 to stop on a signal. This method of operation is stable, economical, and dependable. The gas tube is energized only during the brief interval within which tuning is accomplished, and no provision for maintaining stable ionization for long periods of time is required as in some gas tube devices. This method of operation is also economical, because the plate circuit of the gas tube is opened and the flow of plate current stopped while a station is being listened to.

The plate 64 is connected directly to one terminal of the bucking windingv IIS of the relay |95 by lead |23. The other terminal of the buck# ing winding IIB is connected by means of lead |24 to a capacitor 65 connected to the cathode, and adapted to be charged from the B supply through a current limiting resistor 59. The size of capacitor 65 and of resistor 5e may be chosen such that when the plate circuit is closed, the voltage required to ionize the gas tube does not build up across the capacitor 65 immediately, but only after an interval of time sufficiently long to permit the spring 18 to move the tuning inductance cores 12 enough to detune the receiver from the last station received. This feature of my invention may be employed to avoid a second stoppage of the receiver upon the same station or stoppage too close thereto which might occur especially if the selectivity is low. It also provides a means by which the tuner may be' made to travel a predetermined distance before stopping to tune in the next station, The capacitor 65 also has another function, namely, to' give a large surge of current through the bucking coil although requiring only a limited charging current.

The length of the time delay is determined byl the capacitance of the capacitor and the resistance of the resistor, the time delay increasing.

a'. good' ratchetthis can be done without this added momentum causing more overrun because the ratchet permits the brake drum to stop while the wind vane is still turning. If no ratchet is used the Wind vane should be made as light as possible. Although a closely adjacent signal will be tuned into more slowly, the normal tuning speed, determined by the wind vane dimension, is soon attained and the entire tuning range may be covered in almost the same time as with the unloaded vane.

. When another station or signal is encountered, resonance occurs in the tuned circuits of the receiver. The negative Voltage of the automatic volume control lead 22 rises and decreased plate current flows through the radio frequency ampli- Iier, which results in increasing the positive potential of the connection 25 and the plate of tube 46. The relatively broad action of the automatic volume control results in increased plate voltage at some distance from the point of exact resonance. However, not until a point within about one kilocycle or less of exact resonance is reached does the balanced bridge circuit reduce the negative bias upon the grid 41 of tube 46 to a value that permits increased current to iiow in the plate circuit thereof. When current is permitted to flow in the plate circuit of tube 46, it produces a positive voltage across resistor which is applied to the grid 6| of the gas tube 60 and which causes it to ionize.

. The condenser 65 was charged by the B supply through the resistor 59 when the relay contact ||2 was closed as a result of operation of the push button |20. Ionization of the gas tube now produces a sudden surge-like discharge of the condenser 65 through the bucking winding I6, which neutralizes or bucks out the holding flux through the magnetic circuit of the relay, causing armature |01 to be pulled into and held in its non-operated position by spring ||4. The tension of spring ||4 also holds the depending brake shoe portion ||3 of the armature against brake drum 81, effecting quick stopping, although the wind vane can stop more slowly because of the one-way drive to it. Further movement of the tuning means is thus checked immediately andthe receiver consequently remains tuned to to the signal which initiated operation of the stop-on-signal circuit. When the relay opens, it

closes contact 24| which connects the time delay condenser 25A to the AVC lead 22, and reestablishes the normally slow AVC which is desiredv during 'listening The point of attachment of spring 10 to the tuning means, or rather to the yoke 1| which moves the tuning inductance cores, enables the spring to bias all movable abutting connections between the tuning means and the brake into positive contact with each other when the relay spring' I I4 applies the brake, i. e., all the play is taken out of the drive. No detuning as a result of lost motion can therefore occur. Inasmuch as the spring ratchet |50 is not interposed between the `tuning means and the brake, but follows the brake, impositivo operation of the ratchet will not result in detuning.

The opening of relay |05 by the sudden surge of current through the bucking coil I I6 is eifected soquickly that brake I I3 is applied to brake drum 8 1 before any substantial detuning of the receiver due-to further movement of the tuning inductance cores 12 can occur. This is aided by the use of a powerful spring I I4, of a small clearance between the brake` II3 and the brake drum 81, and of a quick acting trigger device and relay. However, it is desirable to use a speed amplifying gear train to drive the brakedrum 81 at a relatively high rate of speedcompared to the motion of the tuner. This permits a large linear displacement of the braking surface for even a relatively small movement of the tuning inductance cores, which in the embodiment described is about 26 to 1. The small amount of slippage that occurs during the braking action is therefore accompanied by a movement of the tuning inductance cores 1/26 as great, which is negligible. Small mass and momentum of the faster moving parts is desirable for quick stopping.

The gas tube does not remain ionized after response to a signal because the plate circuit lead 56 to ground is immediately broken by the opening of contact I|2 when the relay opens. This insures that no voltage changes or oscillations can reionize the gas tube and prematurely retune the set. It also reduces B current drain during listening.

If -another station is desired to be tuned in, the above described operations are initiated and caused to be repeated by pressing push-button |20. Push-.button |20 need be depressed only momentarily to select another station. If it is desired to traverse the entire tuning range of the receiver, however, or to skip a substantial portion thereof, the push button may be depressed longer and when it is released, the next signal encountered will stop the tuning device. If the push button is held depressed indelinitely, the spring 10 ywill cause the tuning inductance cores 12.130 traverse their entire tuning range (which is accomplished in about four seconds) until pivoted lever |94 is in its furthest clockwise position and lug 93 meets and trips the switch 95, energizing When spring 'I0 has beencompletely retensioned.

and pivoted lever |94 has reached its furthest counter-clockwiseposition, lug 92 trips the limit switch and closes contacts 96 and 91 and opens contacts 91 and 98. This deenergizes solenoid 80 `and reconnects relay contact ||2to the gas tube circuit through contacts 96 and 91.

When the solenoid l turns the pivoted lever |94 in thecounterclockwrise direction to retentionA spring 10, the pinion |30 and shaft |3| turn in the counter-clockwise direction. In this direction the spring ratchet |50 releases its hold upon bushing. |98 and wind vane 14 does not check the speedwith which spring 10 is retensioned. Being free of the restraint of the wind vane, spring 10 is retensioned in a smallv fraction of the time that is required toltraverse the tuning range vof the receiver subject to the restraint of the wind vane 14. Y

TheA embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 diifers from the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 primarily in the means employed forr realizingv the variable gear ratio.y l, VInstead of vthe slotted sector gear 204 cammedby aroller ,208 upon therendof arm 202 of pivoted lever |94 as shown in Fig. 2, a. rack 84 pivotally attached at one end to the arm 83 of the pivoted lever 13 is employed. The lever 13 is mounted in the chassis 6 for pivotal movement about pivot 16 (see Fig. 4) and it has a camming arm 11 engageable by the roller 15 of the core supporting the moving yoke 1|. A short, oppositely extending portion 18 of arm 11 is provided with a slot |89 cooperating with a pin |98 attached to the end of solenoid plunger 8|. When solenoid 88 is energized, the pivoted lever 13 is moved clockwise and cams the roller 15 toward the left to retension spring 1D. The movable end of spring 1U in this embodiment is hooked directly to the yoke 1| near the point to which are fastened the inductance core shafts and the stationary end of the spring is fastened to a lug |51 on subchassis 1 so that the spring moves the cores into, instead of out of, the coils of the tuning devices.

Rack 84 engages the iirst pinion 85 of the speed amplifying gear train 86 and is held in engagement therewith by means of a roller |59. The relationship of the pivot point 16 and of pinion 85 of the gear train are chosen such that when the pivoted lever 13 is in its furthest counter-clockwise position, in which position the tuning inductance cores 12 are completely inserted and the solenoid plunger 8| is fully withdrawn, the arm 83 and rack 84 assume a position close to dead center, i. e., they approach alignment, as illustrated in Fig. 4 in solid lines. In this position, a large movement of the tuning inductance cores 12 results in relatively few turns of the gear train 86. When the solenoid 8B has fully retracted its plunger 8| and fully retracted the inductance cores 12 and retensioned spring 1D, the relative position of the rack 84 and arm 83 is as shown in the changed position view shown in phantom in Fig. 4. In this position, a relatively small movement of the tuning inductance cores results in a much larger movement of the gear train.

The pinion 85 drives the Wind vane 14A, which is of lighter construction and driven at a faster speed than vane 14, and brake member 81 through the speed amplifying gear means which includes the spur gear |28 mounted on the same shaft as pinion 85, an intermediate pinion 85A and spur gear |28A, the latter of which meshes with the high speed pinion |30. The limit switch 95 of this embodiment is operated in slightly different manner by a pivotally mounted yoke |53A actuated by arm 83 of the lever 13 through a pin and slot connection 220, 222. A diagrammatic showing `of this embodiment is included in the contemporaneously filed application of Edward F. Andrews, Serial No. 707,219.

I'he operation of this embodiment of the invention is similar to the operation of the preferred embodiment except primarily for the speciiically different method of obtaining the variable gear ratio to eiect band spread compensation. From the changed position shown in phantom in Fig. 4 it is apparent that the wind vane 14A, as in the preferred embodiment, is driven by a low torque at the highest gear ratio when the tuning inductance cores are fully withdrawn to their high frequency position. When the cores are in their low frequency position as shown in Fig. and by the position in solid lines in Fig. 4, the pivoted rack 84 is in almost the dead center position with respect to arm 83 of the pivoted lever 13, so that a, high torque is applied to the wind vane which, together with the tuning inductance cores 12, moves faster here where the band spread is greater. The change in tuner speed from one end of the band to the rother is somewhat less in this embodiment than the one oi Figs. 2 and 3 previously described. The gear ratio is also higher so that for one unit of motion of the tuning cores 12 the periphery of the brake drum moves Substantially 87 units. The wind vane runs faster here and therefore can be smaller and still a slower speed and a greater time (about 6 seconds) in scanning the band is provided.

Certain features of the present invention may be used with other types of radio receivers, such, for example, as those supplied with power from an alternating current source. Also, tubesy other than the gas type may be used. For example, a vacuum tube may be used in the place of a gas tube in the interest of economy. The vacuum tube can be arranged to operate the relay upon a change in the plate current of the tube from a low value to a higher value upon the application of a stopping signal of sulilcient strength thereto. The diierent plate currents result from a change in the conductivity of the tube from a lower to a higher value, as contrasted with the operation of a gas tube which changes from a nonconductive to a conductive condition. An embodiment of the invention employing an alternating current source of power and a vacuum tube is illustrated in Fig. 7 to which reference will now be had. Only part of a complete apparatus has been illustrated in this gure as, except for the portion illustrated, the apparatus maybe like that illustrated in Fig. 1.

The power source is an alternating current line and may be the usual Volt lines to which the primary winding 302 of a transformer 304 is connected. Plate voltage is supplied to the tubes by `a rectier including a tube 386 energized from a secondary winding 3|0 of the transformer and which may be of conventional construction. A filter indicated generally by the reference character 3|2 may be connected to the output of the rectier, also in conventional manner. Plate voltage for the various tubes is supplied from the output of the lter as through a conductor 3|4. Low voltage alternating current for the laments of the Various tubes is applied by another secondary winding 3 6.

The stop-on-signal means includes the balanced bridge transformer described hereinabove and the control signal is supplied to a stop-onsignal relay tube 3|8 through the conductor 66 and the time delay elements including the ree sistor 53 and capacitor 54. The stop-on-signal voltage appears across the resistor 5| which is connected across conductor 66 and the negative line 328 of the rectier.

The tube 3 I8 is a high vacuum tube and is preferably a pentode of the high plate transconductance type, such as a GSI-I7 or 6AK5 tube. It includes ya cathode 322, a control grid 324, and a plate 326, to which the screen grid 328 is permanently connected in order to provide an increased charge in plate current for a given charge in grid voltage.

The stop-on-signal control voltage is supplied to the grid 324, as already indicated. The grid is also connected to a point somewhat negative with respect to ground in order to bring the cathode of tube 66 substantially to zero voltage when no signal is applied to its grid. The connection is to the negative side 0f a resistor 330 interposed between the ground connection 332 and the power supply conductor 328. A resistor 334 is connected between ground and the plate voltage supply.

The stop-on-signal relay |05, is shown as including the operating coil ||5 and the bucking coil IIB, as well as the armature |01. In Fig. 7 the apparatus is shown in listening position'. In this position the automatic time delay capacitor 25A'is connected to ground through the armature |01 and ground conductor ||1. The mute circuit v|26 is open as is the circuit ||2, |25 to the center contact |21 of the limit switch 95.

' The bucking coil H6 is connected across the cathode-anode circuit of the tube 3 |'8 by conductors 336,338, the capacitor 340 and conductor 342 in such manner that when the tube is rendered more conductive, as it is rather suddenly in response to the application of the positive stop-.onsignal control voltage to its grid, the capacitor 340, which has `been previously charged, discharges.: through the tube and the bucking'coil, therebyto `effect quick release of the relay |05 so that :its armature |01 will return to its nonoperated position.

The capacitor 340 is adapted to be charged from the plate voltage supply through a conductor 343 and the current limiting and time delay providing resistor 344, which limits the charging current to capacitor 340 so that when the tuning-operation is initiated, the apparatus will not stop at the same station but will travel a suficientdistance so as to tune in the next station. The tube 3|8 is normally biased so that it is only slightly conductive by the adjustable Ibias resistor 346;,and a bleeder resistor 348 connecting it to the positive side of` the plate voltage supply. The cathode is connected to the junction of these two resistors bythe conductor 342 while the other end of the adjustable -resistor 346 is connected by the conductor 56 to contact 96 of the limit switch 95.

4The operating coil ||5 is adapted to be energized from the plate voltage supply when the normally open push button switch |20 is depressed to complete an energizing circuit for the operating coil. The energizing circuit extends from thepositive terminal of the plate voltage supply through conductor 342, conductor 350, current limiting resistor 352, the operating coil, conductor 354, the push button switch |20 and ground conductor 356. If desired, a bleeder resistor 358 may be connected across the contacts of the starting switch for the purpose of providing a small current ow through the operating coil, thereby additionally and magnetically to latch the stop-'on-signal relay in its operated position. In this embodiment ofthe invention, alternat# ingcurrent is -used asa source of power for the spring charging solenoid 80 and in order to simplify the control and more particularly to enable the controlt of both the alternating and direct current circuits by thev same switching mecha'- nisms, .the alternating current for the solenoid 80r'ris supplied by another transformer secondary winding 360. One terminal of the transformer is'grounded by conductor 362 and the other terminal leads to the solenoid winding 82. The other terminal of the winding is connected by conductor to the contact blade 98 of the limit switch.

It is believed that the operation'of the embodiment of the invention described above will be apparent from the preceding description. However, in brief review, to place the apparatus in operationv to tune in a signal the push button switch |20 is depressed thereby to energize the operating coil v| I5 of the stop-on-signal relay by connecting it across the plate voltage supply. .'-Ifhe relay armature |01 is thereupon moved to release the tuning-means brake and to complete the mute circuit and thecircuit extending through 22 the limit-*switch Aplacing the stop-onsignal means in operative position, l. e., by completing the cathode circuit of the tube 3|8.

When a signal is tuned in, a relatively sudden and sharp signal is applied to the grid 324 of the relay controlxtube 3|8. As previously described, this signal renders the grid of the tube more positive thereby to make the tube more conductive. When the tube becomes more conductive the capacitor 340 is discharged through it and through the bucking coil H6 of the stop-onsignal relay, with the result that the latter is immediately returned to its nonoperated position by the spring ||4. The brake is reapplied, the mute removed and the time delay capacitor 25A reinserted in circuit for normal audio reception.

To tune-in another station the push button switch |20 is again depressed to initiate the tuning operation. .If the button is kept depressed or no signal is tuned in by the time the tuning means has reached the limit of its movement toward the high frequency end, the limit switch is operated as previously described to complete an energizing circuit for the spring recharging solenoid winding 82.

In the present embodiment of the invention the solenoid winding 82 is connected across the secondary winding 360 of transformer 304, the circuit extending through the conductor |0|, limit switch contact blade 98, 91, conductor |25,` armature |01 and the ground conductor ||1. It will be noticed that under these conditions the armature |01 and movable contact 91 of the limit switch are in both alternating and direct current circuits. The arrangement is also such that there is no danger of short circuiting the alternating current voltage supply, which would be a real danger if the solenoid were not supplied with power from a secondary winding but were supplied -from the volt line. In the latter case care would have to be exercised in plugging in thev radio set to prevent short circuiting the 110 volt line through radio set ground connection.

' It should be understood that the embodiments of the invention which have been described in detailv above are intended to exemplify and not to limit the invention, except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Stop-on-signal radio apparatus having movable nonlinear band spread tuning means, power means tending to accelerate said tuning means beyond a desired low speed for moving said tuning means; and means including variable mechanical advantage transmission means driven by said power means, and movement restrainingl means driven by said transmission means, for varying and retarding the speed of movement of said tuning means to retard the speed of tuning to a greater` extent where the band spread is least and to retard the speed of tuning to a substantiallylesser extent where the band spread is greater.

2. In a stop-on-signal radio apparatus, movabletuning means, chargeable spring means exerting a greater force with a greater charge for moving said tuning means, means for stopping the movement of said tuning means by said spring means in response to a signal, means for charging said spring means, speed retarding plied torque decreases, and .transmission means amassncluding variable mechanical advantagemeans drivenby said spring means, driving saidretarding means and operatively connected to saidv tun.A ing means to control the. speed of said tuning means so that its speed decreases as it is moved by said spring means, said spring. means and variable mechanical advantage means being so connected to said tuning. means and. retarding means that the tuning means is moved at ade.-a creasing speed by said spring meansy as a result of decrease in torque applied to the retarding. means, an increase in the gear ratio of saidzvarable mechanical advantage means, andv a decrease in the spring tension.

3. In stop-on-signal radio apparatus, movable tuning means having a variable band spread, power storage means for moving said tuning means, and a variable ratio mechanical linkage including speed varying and movement restrain ing means operatively associated withsaid `tuning means and power storage means for varying the speed of said tuning means ina manner to compensate for the variation inthe band spread of said tuning means.

4. In stop-on-signal radio apparatus, movable tuning means having a variable band spread, power storage means for moving saidtuning means, and means including speed varying and movement restraining means associated with. said tuning means and power storage means for decreasing the speed of said tuning means as the band spread decreases.

5. In stop-on-signal radio apparatus, movable tuning means having a variable bandspread, power storage means including a spring for nio-,ving said tuning means, means including speed varying and movement restraining means operatively associated with said tuning means and power storage means for regulating the speed of said tuning means, and means for terminating the variation of said tuning means by said power storage means in response to a signal, said spring varying in tension and being so associated with said tuning means as to vary the speedof said tuning means to compensate for the variation in the band spread of said tuning means.A .v 6. Stop-on-signal radio apparatus having niotfable tuning means, speed retarding means re` sisting movement of said tuning means, signal responsive stopping means for stopping saidtunmatically in response to the tuning in of asigna] for terminating variation of said tuning means, means for changing the condition of sai'd'circuit to place saidvariation terminating means inopi erative condition, a capacitor-impedancer'tim delay means connected to` said circuit foi-'"pre venting operation of said variationterm-iiiatig means for a time interval following the changing' of the condition of said circuit. Y '5 8. Stop-on-signal radio. apparatus having vari; able tuning means, power storage means 'for varying said tuning means, signal responsive means for stopping said tuning means, electr magnetic means for charging said power storage means, means. including a transformer having one secondary winding providing a source of direct current power., a second secondary winding ci' said transformer providing a source of alter` nating current power.,.and switch means operable alternately to connect said electromagnetic means to said alternating currentsource andsaid signal.. responsive stopping means to said direct current source 9..In .a stop-onfsignal radio apparatus, variable tuning means, resilient power storage means for. varying said tuning means, a direct current power circuit, means for stopping said tuning means in .response to a signal energized by di.` rect current from said power circuit, an alternating current power circuit, electromagnetic means for charging said resilient power storage means energized by alternating current from said powercircuit, means including a single-pole, double-throw. switch operatively associated with said. tuning means for preventing operation of said electromagnetic means during the time that` the variation. of said tuning means is stopped' by said stopping means and for preventing opera' tion. of. said stopping means. during the operation of said electromagnetic means, the. movable pole oi said switch being connected to both. the direct current and alternating current circuits. .10. In a stop-on-signal radio apparatus, variar able tuning means, resilient powerstorage'means. for. varying said tuning means, means. for. tere minating the variation of said vtuning means by said power storage means in response to a signal; means for charging said resilient power storage means,l and meansl for preventing operation 'of saidcharging means during the time that the variation. of said tuning meansv is stopped by said terminating means, and for preventing op-. eration of said stopping means during operation oi said charging means, said last. mentioned means. including a single pole, double-throw switch operatively associated with said tuning means..

,1.1.5 Insastop-on-signal radio apparatus, Vari# ableY tuning means, power storage. means for varying. said variable tuning means', means. fox'- terminating variation of saidv tuning means 'in response to. a signal including signal responsive relay means and single pole',` double-'throw switch meanshoperated thereby, means. for charg-` ing,l said. power storage means, and means' forv` preventing operation of said charging means during the time-that the variation of said tun ing means isinterrupted. by said variation ter, minating means and for preventing. operation` of said stopping. lmeans during operation of said charging-.means including a single-pole, double;l throw limit switch operatively associated with saidtuning means, the movable polev of which is connected to a contact of said relay operated switchmeans.

l2.- In a stopfen-signal radio apparatus, variable tuning* means, power storage means for vary@ ing said` variable tuning means, means for tere minating variation of said tuning means. mrc-'-v sponse to a signalv including signal responsiverelay: means `and single pole, double-throw switch'. means operated thereby, a4 circuit -asso ciatedwith said radio apparatus, electromagnetic means for charging said power storage means, and means for preventing operation'of .75 said charging means during the time that the 25 variation of said tuning means is interrupted by said terminating means and for preventing-operation of said stopping means during operation of said charging means including a single-pole, double-throw limit switch operatively associated with said tuning means, the movable pole 'of which is connected to a Contact of said relayfop'-` erated switch means, the movable pole of said relay switch means being connected to a point common to the circuit of said electromagnetic means, said signal responsive stopping means, and said associated circuit. if

13. In stop-on-signal radio apparatus, variable tuning means, power storage means for varying said tuning means, electromagnetic means for storing power in said power storage means, stopon-signal means including a relay operated switch for terminating variation of said tuning means by said power storage means in response to a signal, and limit switch means including-a limit switch member movable into different yipositions to render operative said stop-on-sig'nal means or said electromagnetic means, said relay operated switch having a contact connected to said movable limit switch member and a grounded movable switch member.

14. Stop-on-signal radio apparatus having movable tuning means, power means for moving said tuning means, movement retarding means, and means operatively connecting said retarding means to said tuning means including a pair of members movable angularly about different axes and a pin and slot type driving connection between said members.

15. `Stop-on-signal radio apparatus having movable tuning means, power means for moving said tuning means, movement retarding means, and means operatively connecting said retarding means to said tuning means including an angularly movable member, and a driving connection between said members having angular and radial components of movement relative to said angularly movable member.

16. In stop-on-signal radio apparatus, movable tuning means having a variable band spread. power storage means including a variable tension spring associated with said tuning means, the tension of said spring decreasing as the band spread decreases and the band spread increasing as the spring tension increases, means including movement restraining means operatively associated with said tuning means and power storage means for regulating the speed of said tuning means, and means for terminating the variation of said tuning means by said power storage means in response to a signal tuned in by said tuning means.

17. Stop-on-signal radio apparatus having movable tuning means, speed retarding means resisting movement of said tuning means, signal responsive stopping means for stopping said tuning means, drive means having lost motion driving said retarding means and stopping means from said tuning means, and yielding power storage means driving said tuning means and taking up the play in the drive means between the retarding means and the tuning means while in motion and between the stopping means and the tuning means when stopped by the stopping means in response to a signal.

18. In stop-on-signal radio apparatus, variable tuning means, means for varying said tuning means, stop-on-signal means operable automatically in response to the tuning in of a signal by said variable tuning means for terminating variation of said tuning means, manual starting means associated with said last-mentioned means for placing it-in starting condition, and capacitor-impedance time delay means associated with said stop-on-signal means for preventing operation thereof for a time interval following the operation of said starting means.

19. Stop-on-signal radio apparatus having variable tuning means, power storage means for varying said tuning means, means responsive to a signal tuned in by said tuning means for stopping said tuning means, electromagnetic means for charging said power storage means, a direct current power circuit, an 'alternating current power circuit, and switch means operable alternately to connect said electromagnetic means to said alternating current circuit and said signal responsive stopping means to said direct current circuit.

OLGIERD GIERWIATOWSKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,855,152 Jones Apr. 19, 1932 1,968,302 Maurer July 31, 1934 2,084,851 Leishman June 22, 193'7 2,205,097 Knos et al. June 18, 1940 2,292,063 Dome Aug. 4, 1942 2,299,084 Elliott Oct. 20, y1942 2,304,871 Andrews Dec. 15, 1942 2,305,123 Williams Dec. 15, 1942 2,369,542 Dietrich Feb. 13, 1945 

